QSR Uncut

Cofounder Austin Samuelson joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the background and ambitions of Tacos 4 Life, a brand ranked among the hottest fast casuals in America this year. The chain isn’t just a growth vehicle—it’s helped raise over 28 million meals for children in need worldwide. Samuelson shares how Tacos 4 Life operates its mission-based business model, what changes it has...

This has been a wild time for restaurants, from continued pandemic recovery to cyber-attacks to a changing labor force. How do you prepare and protect your business from all of it? John Cassetta, head of restaurant insurance solutions at CoverWallet, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how digital growth has changed the industry, what you should do to prepare, and how to figure out...

Steele Smiley returns to QSR Uncut to update what’s becoming one of the most compelling growth stories in the business. Crisp & Green is on track to open 50 locations this year and just signed its largest multi-unit deal in company history. Smiley joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the milestone and how the brand plans to further disrupt its category.

The outspoken star of “Bar Rescue” is teaming with Shift4 on a $20,000 business grant program open to restaurant owners. We’ll talk about how to apply, what it entails (a one-on-one personalized consulting video call with Taffer, among many other things), and get into a whole bunch of other topics, from the state of the industry to sports betting to what Taffer’s go-to karaoke song is. Like always...

In 2020, one of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands began a journey to find its brand DNA. The result: Become the “Pizza Lover’s Pizza.” From creating distinctive, modern brand communications to becoming the unofficial pizza of pop culture to leading on tech, Pizza Hut president David Graves joins QSR editor Danny Klein to discuss the game-changing evolution, and why the best is still to com...

Once named the best ice cream on the planet by National Geographic, Handel's has been in the business of making and selling fresh ice cream since 1945. Now, it's on the doorstep of 100 locations, with plans for a whole lot more. CEO Rich Matherne joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to discuss the path forward, how to win in an increasingly crowded sector, and why ice cream won&ap...

Tom Krouse, CEO of Donatos, the fast-casual pizza franchise famous for its “Edge to Edge” toppings, joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to discuss 60 years of history, the brand’s game-changing partnership with Red Robin, growth prospects, and a whole lot more. He’ll even get into his musical talent, advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and where the pizza industry goes from here.

The 1,400-unit brand is diving into a whole-new category. Spearheading the charge is marketing chief Marianne Radley, who arrived in September and hit the ground running. Formerly chief brand officer of Yum! Brands and a Monster Beverage Company and Anheuser-Busch InBev exec, Radley plans to take the Smoothie King brand to the next level by developing an impactful look-and-feel and brand message t...

Noah Glass, chief executive and founder of Olo, an open SaaS platform that empowers a network of over 600 brands across 87,000 locations, shares his vision for the restaurant of the future. From personalized service when you sit down to QR codes to drive-thrus that can read license plates, it’s a bold and inventive universe, and one that might just already be here. YouTube video mentioned in podca...

Self-described Jersey Shore girl Abby Taylor was surfing her way around the globe when the idea to open an acai shop struck. Now, Playa Bowls has 170-plus locations and kicked off 2023 stronger than ever, announcing a 40 percent increase in AUV well as an aggressive plan to open 250 stores in the next five years. What began as a blender and a cart on the Jersey Shore in 2014 has turned into a rapi...

Rachel Buss, director of client services at Curion, takes us inside the mind of today’s restaurant guest. What are the trends to watch? How can you tell if a product launch will hit it big? Buss, an experienced end-to-end qualitative and quantitative consumer researcher, covers all of it, and shares best practices to truly gauge the pulse of the foodservice consumer.

What's coming to a soda fountain near you in 2023? Kevin Sherman, CEO of Tractor Beverage Co., predicts innovation will shake up the conventional fountain machine that has remained stagnant for decades. Sherman joins QSR editor Danny Klein to talk about how consumer demand for better-for-you choices (particularly from Gen Z), fast casual powerhouses like Chipotle, Burger King, and newcomer Ha...

The always-outspoken star of “Bar Rescue" joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to introduce the first concept with his name on it, and one Taffer believes represents the future of the casual-dining world. Also, we’ll talk his new bourbon, thoughts about the state of the industry, what operators are getting right and wrong in today’s inflationary climate, and where it all goes from here...

CEO MJ Riva rejoins the QSR team to share an exciting update from one of the category’s fastest-rising brands. The franchise is leading with a culture-first mindset as it prepares to hit the accelerator like never before.

The Melt CEO Ralph Bower joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to share the inside story behind one of the industry’s most impressive turnaround stories. Thanks to enhanced menu items and a new company vision inspired by a Yelp review, the fast casual's average-unit volumes has grown from $700,000 to $3.5 million. And that’s just the start.

Benjamin Kool, CEO of Solutions 4 Delivery, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to tackle one of the sector’s most-pressing (and not going away) challenges. Can an omnichannel solution fix what’s ailing the delivery sector? One thing is certain: the food delivery sector is in need of a major transformation.

Former NFL athlete and current Dunkin’ operator Damon Dunn has come a long way since growing up in dire straits. He joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to share one of QSR Uncut’s most remarkable stories yet, from tips to inspire to how to run a thriving franchise operation and win the labor battle. This is one you won’t want to miss.

Kellie Zimmerman, the president and CRO of customer data platform Brightloom, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the state of the industry and what data is really telling us about the consumer mindset as we near a potential recession. How is data science transforming restaurant menus? What are some of the top restaurant leaders in the space highlighting as their biggest concerns?...

Kyle and Maggie Gordon put all their chips into a dream, and a fast-food category unlike any other. After some rocky and eventful early days, Dillas Quesadillas did more than hit its stride—it found a niche that’s brimming with growth potential. The Gordons join QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to share a true entrepreneurial, American dream tale, complete with “Napoleon Dynamite” references,...

Norman Wu, who launched Conscious Hospitality Group in his 20s, has already seen impressive growth in less than 10 years. With a motto of “people over profits,” Just Poké scaled to 19 restaurants and projects 31 by year’s end. Wu shares his history, winning philosophy, and plans for the future with QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley in this wide-ranging look at what it takes to create a fast-ca...

Christine Schindler, CEO and cofounder of PathSpot, joins QSR Editorial Director Danny Klein to chat about a technology featured as one of TIME’s Best Inventions, and called a “World Changing Idea" by Fast Company. Pathspot has scanned millions of hands around the country at major restaurant chains, airports, schools, manufacturing facilities, and more. Learn how Christine co-founded the comp...

Operators from 85-plus brands representing over 35,000 locations share their key priorities and initiatives for the next two years in Qu’s fourth-annual State of Digital report. CMO Jen Kern joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the findings and break down the top eight technology trends to watch in 2023. This is one deep dive you won’t want to miss. Full report here: https://www.qub...

Gabe Corchiani opened Fat Boy's Pizza with wife, Karen, in 2019. Inspired to create massive 30-inch pies and bring them to New Orleans, the brand is now in take-off mode. Corchiani joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to talk about the backstory behind the New York style concept, and why it’s ready to go big in more ways than one.

Originally founded by Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto and their five sons, Buona started with the goal of using family recipes and fresh ingredients to feed the masses. Today, Buona remains family-owned and operated with the third generation of Buonavolontos now working alongside the five original founding brothers. Buona has grown significantly over the last four years with 26 restaurant locations acr...

There's nothing quite like Huckleberry’s in today's breakfast and lunch game. The NextGen Casual's “Southern Cookin’ With a California Twist" has earned a fervent following. Now, it's time to take the surging franchise to 100 locations and beyond. CEO Greg Graber joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to recap the journey thus far, why Huckleberry’s unique nature is r...